From Pause, Trust, to Power: 3 Lessons in Leadership from Cisco’s COO

The other day, we celebrated the graduation of the 2025 Cisco Veteran Program Scholars, who completed an intensive 10-week course with us. The final session featured a conversation with Thimaya Suibaya, Executive Vice President of Operations at Cisco, moderated by Alex Allen, Senior Director of Social Impact and Inclusion.

Thimaya shared a wealth of wisdom, and for me there were three key takeaways that stood out:

#1- The Power of the Pause

Before answering any question, Thimaya paused. He took a few breaths, looked down or away, then looked directly into the camera and responded thoughtfully.

This simple yet profound technique conveyed that each question mattered—it deserved attention, not a rushed answer.

Watching this reminded me how often we feel compelled to answer quickly, assuming our audience wants speed—but what they really want is thoughtfulness.

I am excited to try this on for size when answering questions.

#2- Trust is Given, Not Earned

Thimaya offered a perspective that flips the traditional conversation around trust: trust isn’t earned; it is given automatically. Of course, it can be broken, but by default, we approach each interaction with trust.

Thimaya’s perspective reframes trust as a default posture rather than a reward. It emphasizes human potential and encourages leaders to create spaces where people can rise to expectations, rather than be judged in advance.

This approach is particularly powerful in diverse, collaborative, and fast-moving organizations, where innovation and engagement often depend on people feeling trusted from the start.

#3- Lean Into Your Superpower

Thimaya encouraged everyone to recognize their unique “superpower” and fully engage it. We all have one—find out what that is and do it. Don’t be afraid to tell those around you about your superpower or capability, and seek out people who can help you navigate into the right roles to leverage it.

By leaning into your strengths and surrounding yourself with the right support, you can maximize your impact and make a meaningful difference in your work and community.

In Conclusion –

These three insights—the pause, trust, and superpower—are lessons that will stay with me, and I hope they inspire you as much as they inspired the veteran scholars. Leadership is as much about thoughtfulness, trust, and leveraging your strengths as it is about expertise and experience.

As we wrap up this cohort, I’m reminded that leadership growth never really ends—it evolves. The lessons shared in that final session were a powerful reminder that how we show up matters just as much as what we know. My hope is that these insights encourage you to lead with greater intention, deeper trust, and a clearer sense of your unique strengths. Here’s to continuing the work of becoming the kind of leaders our teams—and our communities—deserve.